The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas announced on April 23 that it has issued Standing Order 26-1, which restricts electronic access to sealed documents beginning April 21.
This change affects how parties can view and serve sealed court filings. The update is significant because it alters the process for accessing confidential legal records and impacts how these documents are distributed among involved parties.
According to the court, sealed documents will continue to be filed in the Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system under existing procedures. However, electronic viewing or access through CM/ECF will no longer be available for these filings. Parties who have a right to access a sealed document may request a paper copy by contacting the Clerk’s Office directly. Service of sealed documents must now occur by alternative means as outlined in the Federal Rules of Procedure or as otherwise directed by the court, since service via CM/ECF is no longer possible for such filings.
The court stated that it will handle service and notice of sealed documents in paper form via mail. More information about Standing Order 26-1 can be found on the court’s website at https://www.ksb.uscourts.gov/standinggeneral-orders, and instructions on filing sealed documents electronically remain available at https://www.ksb.uscourts.gov/how-electronically-file-sealed-documents.
Questions regarding these changes can be addressed by contacting the Clerk’s Office using phone numbers listed at https://www.ksb.uscourts.gov.
